The Bass Drum Journal June 2017 of The Harvard University B and Vol. 97 No. 1 Conductor’s Corner The spring of the year is for me a time of satisfaction and excitement. It is satisfying as I reflect on the past year and consider the musical opportunities and events we experienced. It is time of excitement as I look forward with planning for the academic year to come. The leadership of the Harvard Bands has been restructured. I was appointed Director of Harvard Band and Wind Ensemble and Yosvany Terry was appointed Director of Jazz Ensembles. This past fall Jensen Ling was appointed to a new position, Harvard NCAA Band takes the ice with our hockey team and holds the first Band’s Coordinator. Jensen Ling is place in the ECAC trophy at Lake Placid! an active bassoonist performing with Residence at Harvard in April. Ms. Wilson’s and Boston University Band. orchestral and chamber musician in residency was similar to the fall residency The highlight for the ensemble the New England area. Originally from in structure. She enjoyed her experience at was hosting a short residency with Boca Raton, Florida, Jensen has served Harvard and was impressed by the level of composer Frank Ticheli one of today’s as the Young Artists Orchestra Program musicianship of our students. leading composers. Students met Manager and as a member of the I continue to conduct the Sunday with Mr. Ticheli at dinner followed chamber music faculty at the Boston Jazz Band. Along with performing in the by a rehearsal/performance of his University Tanglewood Institute in artist residency concerts with the Monday music with the composer sharing Lenox, Massachusetts. Jensen has Jazz Band, the Sunday Band continued our the inspiration of each piece and assisted Yosvany, the students and association with the Alumni Jazz Band in a giving insight into the performance myself in the administrative tasks joint concert in October and with the Wind aspects of the work. In addition to the of all the programs, production of Ensemble in a spring concert in April. support from the Band Foundation, concerts and communication among During the Arts First Weekend the Yosvany we collaborated with the bands from the ensembles. Terry Quintet was featured along with the Northeastern, Boston College, and Sonia Brathwaite served as a Monday Jazz Band on a Sunday afternoon Boston University. temporary Assistant to the Directors concert. This year marked the 25th Anniversary Throughout the year Yosvany for three years prior to Jensen’s of the Arts First Festival. Terry continued a busy schedule as a appointment. We are thankful for all During the month of June 2-9, the jazz artist with performances and tours the assistance Sonia has provided for Monday Jazz Band made an historical trip and has a full summer giving concerts the directors. She has moved to a new to Cuba. The tour included visits, lessons and clinics. position in the Office for the Arts at and performances at the Amadeo Roldan I continue to conduct the Harvard as an assistant in finance. Conservatory, the National School for the Middlesex Concert Band and perform This summer a handicap accessible lift Arts and the Casa de las Américas. The with the Metropolitan Wind Symphony will be installed in the building Monday Band is grateful for the support and the New Sousa Band. Once again shared by Office for the Arts and contribution of various institutions I will be leading the Harvard Summer and the Harvard Band. The within the university community including Pops Band June 21-July 23. lift will allow access to the Office for the Arts at Harvard, the main floor and the band Music Department, the Office of the Inc. room. Provost for the Arts and Humanity, the Jazz Bands David Rockefeller Center for Latin The Jazz Bands American Studies, the Cuban Studies, at Harvard celebrated The Harvard Band Foundation, and Mark Olson women in Jazz through Harvard Band and Jazz Band alumni. two artist residencies. Mark Olson Mark Olson is the Director of the Harvard In addition, the Harvard Gazette Jazz vocalist Deena Director University Band and has been with the sent a reporter and videographer to DeRose joined us in Band since 2003. document this historic trip. November. While here she rehearsed Wind Ensemble with the Monday Jazz Band, met with Inside... The Harvard Wind Ensemble had Harvard students, was presented in a a busy year with their regular performance Reading Between ... 2 Learning from Performers event and schedule which included concerts in December, Drums, Downpours ... 3 met with high school students from March and April and the Bands of the Sure, Why Not! 4 Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Beanpot Concert with the Northeastern Wind Jazz vocalist, Cassandra Elf on the Shelf.. 5 Ensemble, Boston College Wind Ensemble, Wilson, was named Jazz Master in Student Awards... 6 Check out our website for a digital copy of the Bass Drum Journal and band updates! www.harvardband.org Reading between the halves he Band has had another successful year of playing and cheering for Harvard Athletics. We filled opposing free throw shooters with existential dread with our chants of “you don’t exist!” We drove opposing goalies to madness yelling Ttheir names and some things which are better left unnamed. From Madison Square Garden, to Allston, to Long Island, to Lake Placid, to Worcester, the Band travelled near and far to spread humor, music, and pro-Harvard yelling. In between every bit of Harvard Athletics action, the Band was there screaming and playing. And in between the halves of the football games, the Band was there with the 97th season of Harvard Band halftime performances: vs. URI (W 51-21) We began football were sad to see her go, but happy to season against a school from Rhode get to advertise refreshing Coca-Cola® Island that is shockingly not Brown in Maine, or wherever Dartmouth is. with a Pokemon GO pregame featuring Remember, drink Coke, it’s a liquid. At Harvard Pokemon such as Megahuds, halftime, we parodied Dartmouth’s only Lamonster, and Dingman. For halftime, famous alumnus, Dr. Suess, chronicling we travelled to Rhode Island, confusing the woes of Dartmouth’s would be URI with its browner neighbor, Brown. mascot, Eggy the egg. In our best This road trip featured over twenty AABB rhyme and anapestic tetrameter, instances of the sound ‘rōd’ as we went Gianina gives Greg Scalisce the signa- we told of the villainous fraternity to Rhode island and made as many ture ginger ale shower to initiate him Epsilon Gamma Gamma and of Eggy’s as drill master. road based puns as possible (as well as eggsistential angst after running away couple rodeo and rowed ones). man for circus elephant turned space from Dartmouth. entrepreneur Elon Tusk, and returning @ Brown (W 32-22) Thanks to an to Cambridge to take our Shakespeare vs. Columbia (W 28-21) With Drill Apple sponsorship deal, we advertised exam. This was accomplished through Master candidates writing their own the new iPhone 7’s lack of a headphone a word ladder, changing only one letter scripts to audition for the job, we put jack by performing pregame not wearing for each bang, which yielded: HUSH, on our annual franken-show, mashing jackets. Then, we recognized Harvard’s HUSK, TUSK, TASK, MASK, MASS, together several shows into one program in general education to show MARS, BARS, BARD, YARD. It was a monstrous creation which never should Brown just what their open curriculum long trip back to Harvard and we forgot have seen the light of day. I kid, it was was missing. We showed off our English to study for our midterms, but as Hamlet quite good, though a bit confusing. First, Language skills banging to ABC and said “there’s no place like home.” we reminded the audience to set back playing a mash up of the Alphabet Song their clocks for daylight savings time, and Michael Jackson’s ABC. @ Princeton (W 23-20) We took on which is the wonderful invention of We also demonstrated our the hard hitting political issues of the world’s smartest human and time cube knowledge of Brown’s day, covering the tragic death of New expert Gene Ray. Then we investigated favorite subject, colors, Jersey native Pedals the bipedal bear. the origins of our favorite feathered especially the Ivy League Following in the pawprints of ursine friend, the Harvard Turkey, a gregarious ones, i.e. crimson, red, blue greats such as Yogi, Smokey, and and noble beast which has taken to and red, blue, light blue, Winnie, Pedals won the hearts of roaming around our dorms. That bird green, and plaid. New Jerseyans with his ability to brained bird was in need of an education walk on two legs like a person which we provided by dragging him vs. Georgetown in a bear costume. Tragically, along to our EC 10 lectures. Finally, (W 31-17) We Pedals was killed by an in the face of the increased criticism saluted Harvard orange vest clad hunter. of Final Clubs, the Band decided to Square icon So he decided to haunt the confess its true identity as a Final Club, Curious George, most orange place in as the Harvard Turkey Club. recounting his New Jersey, Princeton, adventures after rising and only some Harvard @ Penn (L 27-14) As the presidential Cambridge real estate Band ghostbusting could election drew to a close, we celebrated prices drove his save the day. Finally the inventors of democracy, the home, the world’s we called on Chris Athenians, with a pregame performance only Curious George Christie and Bearack in Ancient Greek, concluding with a store out of business. Greg Scalise Obama to prevent stirring rendition of Fight Fiercely. Our primate pal had Drill Master unbearable tragedies At halftime following the early rising to find a safe space for like this in the future advice of Ben Franklin, we got a intellectually curious Georges like by protecting our second amendment headstart on Christmas playing Mariah himself so he went to Georgetown, right to arm bears. In the stands, we Carey’s All I want for Christmas is studying under distinguished Georges played Knights of Cydonia on repeat you. Unfortunately this unseasonal such as George Lucas, George Bush, and screamed on command as Harvard seasonal cheer, awakened and enraged and George Foreman. Then our simian put up multiple goal line stands heading the Schuylkill River’s eldritch horror, scholar returned to Cambridge to find into overtime. A few bandies also Schuthulu! A beast smellier, more a consulting job with firms like Lemur snuck away to borrow a hundred or so dangerous, and more punctual than Brothers and Bainana and Company. Princeton balloons until some orange SEPTA. Unable to defeat Schuthulu in clad hooligans stole them. combat, we resolved our conflict the vs. Cornell (W 29-13) Joined by a cadre civilized way, with a heartfelt apology of crusties, we put on a record setting @ Dartmouth (W 23-21) For pregame, letter. In the end, Ben Franklin was ten bang show, as we tried to run away we advertised Coca-Cola® and right, the pen is mightier than the sword. from our midterms in a harebrained honored a longtime supporter of the journey which had us harvesting Band, Dolores, the Band Room Coca- vs. yale (L 21-14) With Harvard corn at Cornell, working as a rocket Cola® soda machine. After over two students gathered to finally attend a 2 Illegitimum non Carborundum! decades of service vending for us, we Cont. page 6 Drums, Downpours, and Diversity: A Year of True Dedication 2016 was undoubtedly an exciting year despite our Schneider’s for the world at large, and being with the recitation of Coach Band through this season was all the more Brooks’ speech from exhilarating. We started off with what Miracle. may have been the last Rivalry on Ice In late Spring, game, where Harvard Hockey faced off Andy, Greg and I were against the Quinnipiac Bobcats instead of fortunate enough to the more traditional Bulldogs. Despite a be able to travel to the nail-biting Harvard loss, current bandies Ivy Bands Conference and crust were able to catch up and take and work with band the first opportunity to cheer on the team. members of the other The Beanpot games kicked off seven Ivy schools. an eventful Spring term for the Band. During the Conference Verse 2 or Veritas? Although neither the men’s nor women’s we had productive Maryrose leads the band in its first marchdown of the teams were successful in advancing during discussions about how season against URI. the tournament, the games did provide to encourage diversity than a friend. It started with sprinkles at an excellent chance for the new staff to of all types throughout our membership, Cornell and moved to torrential rain at get comfortable and for the freshmen and how to develop the best possible Princeton and Dartmouth. Despite the to experience the another aspect of relationships with each other and our poor weather, the Band really pulled Harvard Athletics. Both basketball and respective communities. Commencement through for the fans, managing to stay dry hockey kept the Band plenty morning, the Band played in Dunster up near the top of the stadium and under busy, but we could also Courtyard to wake the graduates the rafters at home during Cornell. They be seen elsewhere on and reunion attendees, and showed true versatility when puddles Harvard’s campus, also marched the graduates formed on the Princeton Stadium’s field, playing at events like to the Yard in the first waving to Ryan Fitzpatrick as he watched Cultural Rhythms commencement morning parade his alma mater and briefly coming into and Arts First. Lucy event in recent memory. possession of a giant balloon arch on the Liu especially seemed For some of the Band’s most way to a Crimson overtime victory. to enjoy the Cultural prized possessions – gas mask, old The conclusion of the football season Rhythms event, put on by video tapes, and hundreds of Soldiers brought two defeats at the hands of Penn the Harvard Foundation Field t-shirts included – Spring and Yale, but I am happy to report that for Intercultural and Race was also a time of change. Several the Band came out undefeated. We hosted Relations, specifically when Bandies who were willing to pick Columbia and their Bandies and enjoyed she was serenaded by the lots of heavy things up and then put one last home march-back before the staff trombones during their feature them back down again made the transition at Yale – a march back which in Soldiers Field. storage move from Dedham to the now features a fully repaired Anderson Duckling Day also proved Medford/Somerville line possible. Memorial Bridge. This year’s away trip a big success: even though it Old Bertha even made the trip; she is to Penn was unprecedented in that it was thoroughly down-poured for now living safely amongst the Band’s the first time it has ever been on a Friday a significant portion of the Christmas decorations, extra Band night. Although many Bandies have class afternoon, neither the jackets and other fun knick on Friday, we had enough of the faithful kids’ nor the Band’s Maryrose Robson knacks. Drum Major Bandies leave bright and early Friday spirits were dampened. Once Fall came around, morning to make it in time for the 8:00 We were able to play the Band really hit its stride PM kick-off. many of our pop songs under the main and had a blast cheering on the Crimson. Then came Yale. And what a day! Gazebo in Boston Common, and the Mock Field Show brought an impressive Prop Crew did a phenomenal job building children dressed up in their duck costumes number of new Bandies into our ranks a gargantuan blue monster to destroy. seemed all the more excited to be jumping who were able to add to our musical Well over one-hundred Bandies appeared through the puddles along the typical talent and quickly find friends among the on the field for half time, allowing for parade route to the duckling statues. group. Soon thereafter it seemed like we larger formations and a huge body of Unlike the past several years, when had a veritable weekly army of clarinets, sound. The Crimson may have ended their the Band had the opportunity to travel a thunderous percussion crew, and finally long win streak against the Bull Dogs, with the Harvard Men’s Basketball a fully fleshed out low brass section. but the Band sounded great through to team, we instead journeyed to Lake The first three games of the season – the end – and did not get arrested in the Placid, New York with the Men’s Hockey Rhode Island, Brown, and Georgetown nude, which is more than can be said for team. After two clear victories against – featured phenomenal weather. Those a certain group of Yale students. RPI at home, we packed our bags and seldom few yelling “Sacrifice!” only 2016 may be over, but there is headed to the historic Olympic town. had the balmy temperatures and bright plenty more to look forward to in 2017. In between exploring the museums sunlight to complain about. At Brown, the The West Coast Tour is approaching and beautiful scenery, we played the first away trip of the year, the Band even after Commencement, and will feature semifinal championship game against thought they were seeing double as the cities including Seattle, Portland, and St. Lawrence in the famous Herb Brooks magnificent Paul Smith, my predecessor San Francisco. Diondra, Changseob, Arena. Harvard won a thrilling victory as Drum Major, re-donned his best tux Nathan, Christine, and Brandon will do in overtime, allowing us to stay another and crimson cummerbund to lead the a phenomenal job as the new Staff. Their night amidst the snow-filled mountain Band during pre-game. exceptional dedication and love for the peaks. Unfortunately, this year’s trip had Once the season progressed, however, Cont. page 6 to end after a loss to Quinnipiac, even the weather became an enemy rather Bass Drum Journal 2016 3 Sure, Why Not! At the beginning of last April, I woke the band had performed this before have the privilege to thank and honor up to an email forwarded from the and how many times they will in the those who have been integral to the Harvard Humanist Hub, with a request future, we did what the band always band’s success and longevity. One such for a band. “Could you play some Star does: Cued the fanfare when President moment was when we played for Tom Wars music, just a short fanfare to Faust entered the yard, repeated it three Everett, the beloved director emeritus welcome Carrie Fisher to the podium times, and scrambled down the steps of the Harvard University Bands from to receive an award?” Sure, why not! filled with family and friends - “excuse 1971 to 2013, as he received the Harvard Within a couple days the music was us, sorry, thank you,” on repeat - to Medal during the 2016 commencement arranged, rehearsed, and HUBrass was rejoin everyone else. The band’s unique ceremony. Normally the band plays gathering in the BR for a little late- character as an organization - one that from their tent alongside University evening practice before heading over to is run by students, as most are, but at Hall while the Medals are presented the ceremony. the same time, one with so much history on the steps of Mem Church, but this How about snippets of songs and tradition tied to the university itself, time, the band marched down the main from Spielberg movies for convocation? makes it unlike any other musical group aisle to a favorite fight song, then What about Ghostbusters - the full band that I play. Over the course of my time in formed an arc (with some degree version - for a show about Pedals, the band I’ve been fortunate to experience of difficulty, as only we can do), bipedal bear (may he rest in peace)? many of these moments, whether or then, upon a cue from Tom A seven year old and his little brother, on the way to Soldier’s Field or right after I handed him my baton, looking longingly at my baton? Sure, before exams, in the-- well, in case played a roll-off into Ten why not! There were, of course, the you’re reading this in a library, Thou. Having gotten to less-than-positive moments, too. Roll- I’ll be quiet. know Tom the previous off to Ten Thou instead of playing our The Harvard University summer after doing third and final field show song because Band isn’t always The Harvard some cataloguing the halftime planner underestimated the University Band, though. Take work together for a time needed by the award presentation Duckling Day, for example, music library, I was before us? A rainy, windy, blustery field the Mother’s Day festival Elena Sokoloski happy that the band practice at Princeton? Nine songs to put and parade in downtown Student Conductor was able to honor in the tunesaqs and only an hour to do Boston in which the band plays music someone I had come to admire, but it? Sure, we’ve got it. for dozens of tiny children dressed up even without that connection, and even A sizeable number of bandies as ducklings. Heaven, I know. This year for us younger members of the band would tell you that the band isn’t the comfortable, misty spring weather who hadn’t played under him, there about music at all, and (can the student turned into spitting rain halfway into was excitement at the opportunity to conductor even say this?) to a certain our first song, prompting ducklings play for someone that crust upon crust extent, I would agree with them. Over to retreat into ponchos and, at the told had been so important to the band’s the last year I’ve learned that it’s what bequest of Joanna, the music manager history. we do with the music that really counts, (extraordinaire) present that day, music Now, this isn’t to say that and I’ve been lucky to have so many retreated into tunesaqs. We moved to the music’s place has to be secondary to gazebo, which made for an interesting the fun or the tradition: When we play acoustic experience, standing in a well, more opportunities come to the circle as kids slowly ventured up the band, like the Carrie Fisher or Steven stairs to stand in the center of the band, Spielberg gigs, and I like to think that dancing or pretending to conduct or the motivation to sound good and have covering their ears in response to each fun while doing it carves out space song. By the time the parade was over for bandies to grow as musicians, if the rain had mostly stopped, the band they want that. For example, entirely was happy and ready to spread holiday due to the dedication of this year’s cheer, and the ducklings were satisfied. arranging and licensing coordinator, The kids don’t know what Harvard is, Emily Donaldson ‘17, and music 2015 to 2016 Senior Staff! Ex stud-con Mattie Newman welcomed Elena Soko- they don’t know that the band playing managers Joanna Tao ‘19 (yearlong), loski with a ginger ale shower. for them is going to celebrate its 100th Bruno Villegas ‘19 (spring) and anniversary in a couple of years, and Nathan Wolfe ‘19 (fall), the Band got chances to make that exuberant, crowd- they didn’t care that the humidity was to experiment with new arrangements sourced, (sometimes) weird music with pushing us out of tune or that some at almost every game and rehearsal. this group of friends. key signatures were neglected, blurred Joanna and Bruno’s willingness to tote Sometimes, certainly, we by raindrops. So long as the music is songs-in-progress to basketball and masquerade as The Harvard University danceable (and dads everywhere, we hockey games between rehearsals kept Band. Standing atop Widener on sincerely thank you for pushing the our arrangements moving through the Commencement morning, waiting for definition of danceable), and the drum editing stages, and Emily’s uncanny what felt like hours for President Drew mallets are easily within reach during ability to remember exactly where Faust to process into the yard, was one the break between sets, our music - each arrangement stood in the process such moment. Blazers on and buttoned without context or tradition - makes kept us on track all year. This fall we despite the blazing sun, listening to people happy, and the opportunity to reinstituted arranging workshops and the band play fight song after fight make that kind of music, imperfect as it started holding arranging office hours, song and cadence after cadence (after tends to be, has been one of the biggest which resulted in over fifteen new cadence after cadence), watching privileges of my time at Harvard so far. arrangements and numerous section graduating friends walking by below Then there are times that the cheers, a disproportionate number and thinking about how many times Harvard University Band is the HUB of those coming from freshmen and especially to us and our own, where we sophomores. Every bit as important as 4 Illegitimum non Carborundum! Elf on the Shelf: The Journey to Bring the Spirit of the Band to all Bandies If you told me freshman fall that in Boston, visiting the Harbor roughly a year I was going to take Islands, shopping, capture on the role of the Harvard University the flag, the talent show, and Band’s Schneider, I would not have senior speeches. Finally, we believed you. In fact, most of the Band were able to come together probably would not have believed you as a band and see the seniors either; I was very shy. Looking back at off by playing in the terribly freshman year, I remember not knowing bittersweet ceremony that is what Junior Staff positions to apply for, Commencement. And with but Garrett Maron (the Schneider at the that, all the seniors graduated time, R.I.P.) suggested I try out Weisse. and the Band was off to enjoy Carrying on Tradition I really respected him as a Schneider, their summer break. The Schneider position is passed down with so I decided to go for it, and I was The break did not do a green tie, a shower of ginger ale and the backdrop of Harvard pummeling yAle. fortunate enough to be a Weisse for one much to ease my nerves about of the funniest, funnest, and kindest welcoming the incoming like Santa Claus because I did not know guys I know, Joe Palana, my immediate freshman class in the fall, how give out the many gifts of joy, predecessor. Throughout his term, his but seeing how everything laughter, and fun that Joe was able to. welcoming attitude, fun-loving spirit, turned out, I couldn’t be Instead, I saw myself as more of an Elf and nonsensical antics inspired me to happier with this freshman on the Shelf in my role of Schneider. It run for Schneider the next year. class. In my humble might sound creepy, but hey, it worked Having been chosen for opinion, they are the for me. I felt it was easier for me to listen the position, I was nervous kindest, most dedicated, to the Band and to observe them in order about my ability to live up and most respectful to determine what was best for them in to the Schneiders of the class the Band has seen each moment. A lot of the creative ideas past, especially Joe, who to this date. They are that I put in place were not from me; they had become such a role already such an integral were suggestions from my committee or model. Joe did a great part of the Band and I from the Band at large. You never know job with the position could not envision the what the Band is going to come up with Jonathon Nesralla and, thinking back, he Schneider Band without them. All and it was always such a fun adventure almost made it seem like of the upperclassmen to make what the Band desired a reality. being Schneider was similar to being loved having the new freshman join us In addition to using my capacity Santa Claus. He would always bring so in our adventures with the football team as an Elf on the Shelf to listen to the much joy, fun, and laughter to the Band, all across the Northeast Coast. This Band for creative ideas, I also used this even when he wasn’t doing anything all culminated in the revised, but still capacity to listen to the Band’s thoughts specifically Schneider related. His jokes traditional, ceremony of Cuts (*snip on how to improve the social atmosphere and antics always lightened the mood snip*) that officially welcomed the new of the Band in order to make sure it and were like gifts that he gave to the class as part of the Band. The season was as safe and inclusive as possible. Band throughout the year. While this ended with the Game, and even though In that vein, we decided to pin down worked really well for him, the prospect Harvard lost for the first time in ten the Hub_welcome Committee to the of constantly being funny and nonsensical years, the Band still won (as it tends to Schneider’s domain. This was completed kind of scared me (I’m not very funny to do). Through all the rituals, the confetti, with the creation of the Schätzen position begin with). I knew if I tried to live by the excitement cheers, the Christmas, the on SchneiderKomm. We envisioned the this model of a Santa-esque Schneider, loud busses, and the paper airplanes, the Schätzen’s responsibilities to include I was bound to fail. Band always wins in spirit. We always running the Hub_Welcome Committee As I tried to figure out what being bring the cheer and have fun doing it. as well as exemplifying a welcoming and Schneider meant to me, the winter season Of course, there is fun outside of the inclusive attitude while in the Band. We went on and the Band continued to play games at the parties. The Usual Place has felt this would help the Hub_welcome (and win). The hottest of chocolates treated us well and continues to provide Committee gain some regularity and were served on the coldest of days, even a safe, fun, and comfortable atmosphere foundation from year to year since the all the way to Lake Placid as the Band for all bandies to talk, laugh, dance, play responsibility for running the committee traveled with Men’s Hockey to play in games, dress up, and enjoy themselves. between Senior Staff members was the ECAC Hockey Playoffs in the old My favorite party of the spring term had arbitrary up until this point. This was Olympic park. We were even able to to be the Harry Potter Party. There was due to the fact that the committee was cheer on the Women’s Basketball team butterbeer, costumes, Hogwarts house a new endeavor put in place a couple of in their playoffs at Hofstra in Long competitions, and even dry ice to add a years back. Island (There’s no hot chocolate for little spook factor. My favorite party of Zoë, this year’s Schätzen, and basketball unfortunately. Don’t worry, the fall term was definitely the Dungeons I wanted this year to be more of a I asked). Later in the season, we got a and Dragqueens Party because it doubled foundational year to ground Hub_ little taste of the incoming class with as our LGBTQ+ pride party, which I welcome and to gain a feel for what all of our usual Visitas events, such as thought was important to help foster a concrete things the Band would like to the Open Houses, the Ice Cream Social, safe and inclusive space for all members accomplish with something like this. and the Peripatetic Gigging. Then, after of the Band. We found that this year’s Hub_welcome a busy semester and before the seniors Navigating the year through these Committee was productive and produced became crust (R.I.P. hub_pregnant), Dead parties and games, I began to learn how some very interesting conversations Week brought us a lot of great times and to best define the role of Schneider for Cont. page 7 memories, like a beach trip, exploring myself. I stopped trying to aspire to be Bass Drum Journal 2017 5 Reading Between Drums cont. cont. football game, we payed homage to coats the trench coat. It is with great Band has already shown through, and Harvard’s residential houses, which pride and lightened shoulders that I put they have an extremely proficient and as our multitudinous deans tells us back on one of those dashing woolen enthusiastic new Junior Staff to help them are the center of our social lives at crimson blazers. Though I will miss the along the way. The Band is great hands Harvard. Houses like: Adams, Curry, free snacks in the press box at halftime. as we continue into the Winter Sports Currier, Curriest, Pfaust, Canada, Season, ready to cheer the hockey and Hogwarts, Whiffenpoof, University INC, basketball teams to victory once more! of Pennsylvania, and Hurlbut. For halftime, we did battle with the yale INC, student body, who due to a viral outbreak of merge sort had mutated into a single Greg Scalise monstrous body, Dogzilla (portrayed Greg Scalise ‘18 was Drill Master from by a masterfully built, towering blue Maryrose Robson 2015-2016. He is a Philosophy and Classics Maryrose Robson ‘17 was Drum Major from beast filled with Prop Crew). Dogzilla concentrator from Brewster, Massachusetts. rampaged around the Ivy League as 2015-2016. She is a Social Studies concen- we played Mars the Bringer of War. trator from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. Harvard was the only school left to defeat Dogzilla, so we teamed up with the trade school down the river, MIT, the Massachusetts Initiative for Teamwork to build a giant fighting robot (portrayed by a stilt walking, costumed, and giant sword wielding Prop Crew Manager). And despite the less than happy ending to Harvard football performance that day, the halftime performance ended Sacrifice. Maryrose Robson ‘17 and Paul Smith ‘17 both show up to the Staff Cocktail: The class of 2017 poses with our victorious total destruction of brown game as drum majors making ban- together at Staff Cocktail. Dogzilla. dies unsure who should be sacrificed! It was great joy producing these Band Members shows with the Band. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as Presented Awards Drill Master. Donning the trench coat, twirling the signs, reading the scripts The Stephen D. MacDiarmid Award, in the press box, and jumping off named in honor of Steve MacDiarmid Anderson Bridge better than Quentin ’77, is presented annually to versatile Compson is an experience I will always musicians in the freshman class. This cherish. I want to thank the outgoing year’s recipients are Emily Valentin and Senior Staff for being such wonderful Alister Pino. The Malcolm H. Holmes people to work with. I’d also like to Award ’28, named after beloved Director Jump: The Band Shouts for Greg to jump off the bridge during Marchdown. thank my seasoned Prop Crew Manager Mal Holmes, is presented to two dedicated Eloise and ever competent Assistant freshman Bandies. The 2016 recipients Drill Master Christine for their help, as for this award are Michael Colavita and well as my cinematographers Gabe and Finn Weber. The Robert T. Abrams Award, Changseob for recording everything, was initiated in 2008 by Bob Abrams ’49. and Dalen taking pictures! Established on the occasion of Abram’s I can’t wait to see the work 80th birthday, the award is presented Diondra, Changseob, Nathan, Christine, to a senior trumpet player who has and Brandon do on Senior Staff. And I demonstrated outstanding musicianship, especially can’t wait to rejoin the ranks distinguished leadership, and dedication of the Band as a mere mortal, having to the Band. This year’s recipient is Zoe Band members steal the Princeton bal- been disrobed of that most sacred of Onion. Congrats to all our award winners! loon arch. Harvard University Band Staff 2016-2017 Senior Staff Junior Staff Gabriel Coonce ‘19 -- Instruments Manager Diondra Dilworth ‘18 -- Manager Athena Braun ‘19 -- Treasurer Michael Colavita ‘20 and Allison Law ‘20 Changseob Lim ‘19 -- Drill Master Hanah Contreras‘19 -- -- Music Manager Nathan Wolfe ‘19 -- Student Conductor alumni & PR Cooridantor Jose Avonce ‘19 - Music Archivist Christine Zheng ‘18 -- Drum Major Mariah dimalaluan ‘20 -- Merchandise Aidan Connaughton ‘19 -- Trips Man Brandon Kim ‘19 -- Schneider Joanna Tao ‘19 -- Mailing Gabriel Coonce ‘20 -- Internal Lauren Futami ’18 -- Webmaster Lucas Conti -- Schwartz Section Leaders Jose Avonce ‘19 - Historian Haniu Ren ‘19 -- Weisse Jessica Bishai ‘20 -- Flute Albert Chalom ‘18 -- ADM Lucaian Al-Tariq ‘20 -- Weisse Jose Avonce ‘19-- Clarinet Elena Moncada ‘20 -- Weisse Emily Valentin ‘19 -- Sax Calais Galbriath ‘19 and Dalen Ferriera Elizabeth Keeley ‘20 -- Schatzen Finn Weber ‘20 -- Trumpet ‘19 - PCM Dalen Ferreira ‘19--Photographer Alister Pino ‘20 -- Low Brass Director Jerry Ma ‘19 -- Percussion Haniu Ren ‘19 and Lucaian Al-Tariq ‘20 -- Mark Olson -- Director of Bands Cinematographer 6 Illegitimum non Carborundum! Elf on the Shelf Sure Why Not cont. cont. that brought up some important issues, could just witness how creative and fun the music production was the rehearsal, like how some members feel a pressure you all are. You were all so incredibly though, and without section leaders to always be happy and nice and how helpful and I cannot thank you enough willing to run these new songs in there is not a healthy way to deal with for all of the work you put in to make their sectionals, none of it could have negative feelings between members of sure the Band was safe, fun, and happy. happened, but Athena Braun ‘19, Lizzie the Band. A concrete measure we took Well, that’s all from me. Sorry for Keeley ‘19, Aidan Connaughton ‘19, to deal with this was a workshop led the ramble. I would like to say good bye Diondra Dilworth ‘18, Amie Garcia by Room 13, a peer counseling group to leave you with someone who is bound ‘18, and Justin Cavitt ‘17 kept on top on campus, that showed members of to be amazing as Schneider, Brandon. If of everything that Stud Con Committee the Band how to be more conscious you ever read this, good luck, you are threw at them with grace and good and thoughtful during interactions with going to kill it as Schneider. Will you be humor, and kept the music coming. other Band members in order to express a Santa or an Elf on the Shelf? Or maybe Most of all, though, I negative feelings without unnecessarily a snowman? Or a reindeer? Or maybe appreciate the musical friendships that spreading them throughout the entirety this metaphor never made any sense in have come from my time in the band, of the Band. Another concrete measure the first place? Who knows? I love you both as stud con and as a clarinetist. we took was attempting to mediate some all and thank you for letting me serve as The band has become one of the hubs known conflicts in the Band by trying out Schneider during this wild year! from which other organizations email different conflict resolution strategies. to see if they can borrow a trumpet The Hub_welcome Committee also INC and PVP, player, or a set of percussion mallets, discussed various recruitment tactics and the crossover between the band and that the Band uses and how to best other musical groups has only enriched implement them during Freshman Week HUB’s musical and social depth. Last and Visitas. I hope that this committee spring, half of the pit orchestra for is able to continue listening to the Band Jonathon Nessralla a production of HMS Pinafore was and address its concerns about the social Jonathon Nessralla ‘18 was Schneider from made up of bandies, the Harvard Flute atmosphere so that the Band remains a 2015-2016. He is a Chemistry concentrator Ensemble is growing with HUB’s safe and inclusive space for all bandies from Bridgewater, Massachusetts. ranks, and this spring semester, a show to enjoy. that I’m involved with will have three I would like to take this time now bandies on its senior staff and many to thank the rest of Senior Staff for all more in its orchestra and staff. The of the hard work, dedication, and time HUB is more than just a musical home: that they gave to the Band this past year. In my term I’ve also seen it become a Andy, Greg, Elena, and Maryrose, it was jumping off point for other musical and truly an honor and joy to work with you artistic endeavors, giving bandies the guys. It was so gratifying to see how we opportunity to collaborate outside band were able to come together and become and, sometimes, bring new friends in. one team that was able to successfully The interplay between serve the Band to the best of our abilities. tradition and innovation, the social I would also like to thank the best and the musical, has been a defining committee anyone could ever ask for. Caroling: Christine Zheng ‘18 spreads part of my time as StudCon, and I look Brandon, Gabe, Hadley, Nic, and Zoë, holiday cheer with a festively decorated forward to seeing how it continues to mace I could not have done any of the things I change in my last three semesters in did without you. My favorite part of our band, and after. All in all, mostly due to time together was when we would all the fantastically talented and incredibly meet to discuss Schneiderly things and I dedicated stud con committee, junior staff, and my fellow senior staffies, I’m proud of the year behind us, and looking forward excitedly to the future.

INC,

Two Bands: The Harvard and Brown Band take the field to play together following the football game

The Seniors and Senior Staff sing Fair Harvard while Mark conducts and rest Elena Sokoloski of the band plays Elena Sokoloski ‘18 was Student Conduc- tor from 2015-2016. She is a Government concentrator from Maumee, Ohio.

Bass Drum Journal Staff

Photos Dalen Ferreira ‘19

Editing Albert Chalom ‘19 Bandquet: Drill Master Changseob Lim Bethany Jenkins ‘21 Show on Ice: The Band recounts our ‘19 presents the Velvet Buddha award adventures from Ski Trip with a show to senior Yukiye Koide on ice Bass Drum Journal 2016 7 Here’s to another great year!

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